This technology is not new. Biotech seeds have been approved by global food safety agencies and widely used by farmers in food crops for almost 20 years. Because U.S. farmers use GM seed to grow certain crops, 70 percent of foods on U.S. grocery store shelves likely contain GMO ingredients. As a result, if an American food or beverage product lists corn, soy, canola, cottonseed or beet sugar as an ingredient – and it it's not organic - it likely contains GMOs.

Global food safety experts will note there has not been a single incident of harm to health or safety demonstrably linked to the use of GMOs anywhere in the world. Numerous studies have found certain benefits, however.

One in eight people in the world today – or 870 million people worldwide – do not have enough to eat. And by 2040, the world's population is projected to increase by 2 billion to nearly 9 billion people. Global Experts project that to meet the growing needs of an increasingly hungry world we will need at least:

50 percent more food.

45 percent more energy.

30 percent more water.

Global Experts project that to meet the growing needs of an increasingly hungry world we will need at least:

50 percent more food.

45 percent more energy.

30 percent more water.

It's a daunting challenge. But biotechnology shows promise to address such issues as strengthening crops against drought and extreme temperature, and delivering more nutritious food, even in poor soil conditions.

We know that some consumers remain uncomfortable with GMOs. As a global food company, we produce products without GM ingredients in some markets – we also offer organic and non-GMO alternatives in most of our major categories in the U.S.

In the spirit of transparency, we’ve enrolled several products – especially our organic products – in the U.S. Non-GMO Project. We oppose state-based labeling, but we support nationally standardized labeling of non-GMO products in the U.S., where there has generally been no requirement for special labeling.

Ensuring safe and effective food production, while conserving precious natural resources, is a longstanding commitment for General Mills. We believe biotechnology can help.